NEW YORK (AP) - The Coaches vs. Cancer Classic will have a new home, network and title sponsor starting in 2012.
The tournament that started in 1995 will move next year from Madison Square Garden to the new Barclays Center in Brooklyn and its exclusive broadcast and media rights will be owned by Turner Sports.
The semifinals and finals will be televised on truTV for the first time and Turner Sports will oversee national sponsorship sales as well.
The tournament benefits Coaches vs. Cancer, a collaborative initiative of the American Cancer Society and the National Association of Basketball Coaches. Since 1993 the organization has raised close to $75 million in the fight against cancer.
The last 2K Sports Classic benefiting Coaches vs. Cancer will be held Nov. 17-18 with Texas A&M, Mississippi State, Arizona and St. John’s. The 2K Sports Classic will continue at Madison Square Garden and will be televised by ESPN through at least 2020-21. Starting in 2012 the beneficiary of the event will be the Wounded Warrior Project.
“We are pleased to enter into a relationship with the National Association of Basketball Coaches and the American Cancer Society for this great event,” said David Levy, president of sales, distribution and sports for Turner Broadcasting System. “In addition to televising this pre-eminent early season college basketball event, Turner will utilize a number of its resources to further enhance the exposure and mission of Coaches vs. Cancer with our audience.”
Turner partnered with CBS Sports last season to air the NCAA men’s tournament for the first time with truTV as one of outlets.
“This is a natural progression with the excellent opportunities in college sports in general,” Levy said.
The Barclays Center is scheduled to open in September 2012.
“Teaming with Turner Sports, coupled with the move to the new Barclays Center, greatly enhances the commitment of college basketball coaches and everyone in the college basketball community in the fight against cancer,” said Saint Joseph’s coach Phil Martelli, an NABC vice president and national chair of the Coaches vs. Cancer Council. “The addition of such outstanding resources helps make the Coaches vs. Cancer Classic a perfect start for another exciting college basketball season while helping raise awareness and funds to fight cancer.”
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